Addi Meles

Addi Meles exclosure
Map showing the location of Addi Meles exclosure
Map showing the location of Addi Meles exclosure
LocationInda Sillasie municipality, in Dogu’a Tembien district, Ethiopia
Nearest cityHagere Selam
Coordinates13°34′N 39°12′E / 13.56°N 39.2°E / 13.56; 39.2
Area65 ha (160 acres)
Websitehttps://ethiotrees.com

Addi Meles is an exclosure located in the Dogu'a Tembien woreda of the Tigray Region in Ethiopia. The area is protected by the local community.[1]

Environmental characteristics

  • Area: 65 ha
  • Average slope gradient: 20%
  • Aspect: the enclosure is oriented, on both sides of a ridge towards the east and the west
  • Minimum altitude: 2163 metres
  • Maximum altitude: 2259 metres
  • Lithology: Antalo Limestone
  • 2018: support by the EthioTrees project

[1]

Management

As a general rule, cattle grazing and wood harvesting are unallowed. The grasses are harvested annually and taken to the homesteads of the village to feed livestock. Physical soil and water conservation has been implemented to enhance water infiltration, and vegetation growth. Field observations showed that some illegal grazing occurred in the enclosure in 2018.[1]

Benefits for the community

Setting aside such areas fits with the long-term vision of the communities were hiza’iti lands are set aside for use by the future generations. It has also direct benefits for the community:[2]

  • improved ground water availability
  • honey production
  • climate ameliorator (temperature, moisture)
  • the sequestered carbon (in total 84 tonnes per ha, dominantly sequestered in the soil, and additionally in the woody vegetation)[1] is certified using the Plan Vivo voluntary carbon standard,[3] after which carbon credits are sold
  • the revenues are then reinvested in the villages, according to the priorities of the communities; it may be for an additional class in the village school, a water pond, or conservation in the exclosures.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d De Deyn, Jonathan (2019). Benefits of reforestation on Carbon storage and water infiltration in the context of climate mitigation in North Ethiopia. Master thesis, Ghent University.
  2. ^ Jacob, M. and colleagues (2019). Exclosures as Primary Option for Reforestation in Dogu'a Tembien. In: Geo-trekking in Ethiopia's Tropical Mountains - The Dogu'a Tembien District. SpringerNature. ISBN 978-3-030-04954-6.
  3. ^ EthioTrees on Plan Vivo website
  4. ^ Reubens, B. and colleagues (2019). Research-based development projects in Dogu'a Tembien. In: Geo-trekking in Ethiopia's Tropical Mountains - The Dogu'a Tembien District. SpringerNature. ISBN 978-3-030-04954-6.